Matt Harvey to Have Elbow Surgery

The Mets announced today that Matt Harvey will have “Tommy John” surgery and will miss all of the 2014 season. The procedure will be later this month, and will be performed by noted surgeon Dr. James Andrews.

Nobody ever wants to see this, and it’s hard not to feel bad for Harvey. The good news for Matt is how many pitchers have come back strong from this procedure, and it is hard not to see Harvey diligently doing the needed post-operative rehabilitation. But it is his pitching arm, and Tommy John surgery is not a minor thing either. It is understandable how Harvey wanted to explore all options before accepting this fate.

For the Mets this is a setback, but no one player makes a team, not even Matt Harvey. And now there is resolution on the situation with Matt heading into the offseason. This adds another need to the list, but there is no ambiguity. There will be no “Harvey Days” in 2014.

My hope will be to still see a long career’s worth, in a Mets uniform, beginning in 2015.

Stiff upper lip, boys. This doesn’t change things one iota. Harvey is young and determined. He’ll back and ready for a championship run in 2015. 2014 is about filling the holes, getting a core of competitive talent together, and continued player development.